Christmas Now & Then

A small collection of the last few years of our Christmas letters, It amazes me to read my own messages, that are like a soft tap on my shoulder reminding me of the words I need to hear today. God is good  
Wishing you and yours the best in 2013

xo    kristen heather

Christmas 2012

Greetings once again, can you believe this is the 8^th year I have written a Christmas letter?! I hope you enjoy receiving it as much as I enjoy writing it.

With facebook, my blog (kayefiles.blogspot.ca), texting and email, I hope I can find something to share that you have not already read somewhere along the way.

Korben is now 3 and he is very active and very happy. (I am no longer calling him Mr. Naughty because I do believe you bring about what you think about).

Korben has really bloomed in the last 3 months, he has a great imagination, and he is fearless and sweet. I coughed the other day and he replied “bless you”.

Jason is working at Johnson Controls; he had the opportunity to take a course in Oklahoma this fall; which was a new experience for us all. It is easy to take for granted the difference between having 2 adults under the same roof.

Brodie will be 9 in February, his teacher describes him as “a mini encyclopedia, he knows so much, about so many things”…just like his Daddy and both Grandpas. Brodie played his second year of football for the Transcona Nationals. He experienced the excitement of touchdowns this year; which taught him that trying different things does have its rewards. Brodie as you know is also a sensitive soul, like his Mama, all of us have been learning the strengths and weaknesses in this trait, and we are hoping the New Year will bring a smoother road for all of us.

As for myself, there have been challenges since October when the first of our three car accidents occurred. Jay and I are both scheduled to start the return to work process in the New Year.  If you follow my blog, you will know that I always try to find the positive & the life lessons God has placed before me. Unfortunately for Jay, he has to live through the processing period of all my realizations. I do love what he can bring to the table; even though we view the world from different perspectives. Out of this I am hoping for balance for our boys, in a world that is often a scary place.

These are the lessons I have learned this year: Be strong and faithful. Be true to yourself & the ones you love. Remember God has a plan. Tell the truth, Say sorry. Ask for help when you need it, say thank you for the small things. Always remember things can change in a blink of an eye. Count your blessings and hug your Mama

Kristen, Jay, Brodie & Korben  xoxoxo

From Our House to Yours in 2011

          It is hard to believe that Christmas is only 9 days away and we hardly have any snow on the ground.

We have had a very busy year; Jay finished school in February and is officially a Journeyman…its hard to believe he started this journey right after Brodie was born. Jay is truly brilliant in all areas that interest him.

Brodie is in grade 2 and had the most amazing 3 way conferences at school this month. Mme Monica praised him for his helpful nature and great manners. Brodie is reading more and more and showing such confidence and interest, his math skills are above grade level. Watching your child grow academically amazes me as much as seeing their first step.

Brodie joined the Transcona National Football team this summer and was presented the “Sniper Award”.

Now for our Mr. Naughty A.K.A. Korben he is officially 2, he LOVES cars and trains, Jays snowmobile, & the riding lawnmower……you get the idea. Korben is potty training, talking lots and still using baby sign when he really wants something. When Korben sees Christmas lights he says “Nice” and has tried several times to bite an apple tree ornament. His day care reported that he also likes to throw the round ornaments off their tree……Brodie told me “ It’s ok Mama he is just learning”.

As for me I’m adjusting to the idea of turning 40 next month……not that I feel any different but it somehow sounds different…..I must be grown up. To be honest I feel great, I have finally adjusted to “Country life” and I am seeing more and more the benefits for all of us. Brodie and I just finished the 1^st Harry Potter book and in the end there is a discussion about how powerful Harry’s Mother’s love was that it left its own mark on him. “Not a scar, no visible sign…to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us protection forever; it is in your very skin”….. I feel the same way about Jay and the boys; they have left their mark on me, my parents, my in-laws, my brother and his amazing family….my friends God has truly blessed me. Proverbs 23:7 “As a man thinks in his heart, so does he become” May you know in your heart the greatness that God sees in you.

Merry Christmas Love, Kristen, Jason, Brodie, Korben & Meadow  xoxo

1st Year Trick or Treating

We Wish You a Merry Christmas 2010

Greetings to you from our little house in the woods……it has been a very busy month and a half  adjusting to the end of my mat leave, coordinating 2 children and ourselves and all the places we need to get to each morning…..the drive is still long but coming home is worth it.

Brodie is enjoying grade 1 at Ecole Dugald. He proudly passed his yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do; Brodie’s class is twice a week at Anola School. It’s hard to believe Brodie will be turning 7 in February. He is still very loving towards the “baby brother” even though Korben wants to touch and explore all of Brodie’s favorite things.

Korben had his 1^st birthday October 30; he is crawling, walking, and climbing. Jay calls him “Mr.” I call him “Mr. Naughty”. He is adjusting to full time childcare, we are blessed to have a spot at the same centre Brodie attending as an infant, he is very well cared for and he is having lots of fun. They also take good care of me on the mornings Korben does not want me to leave.

Jason starts his last level in Refrigeration at Red River January 4^th for 7 weeks; he will be a journeyman on completion.

For myself I am enjoying the many gifts God has given us, the biggest one being each other. Jay reminds me to focus on the good stuff and let go of the little stuff……like our house ever staying clean or having all the laundry done…… There have been many life lessons in the last year, I worried how a family of 3 would adjust to 4 and it happened more naturally than becoming parents the first time around……. Siblings that are 5 years apart can still play, laugh and love………….Part of being a parent is to have a voice when they don’t …………Ask for clarification when you are not sure what someone is trying to say……….Use what you know and do something good with it…….love each other….love yourself…..be grateful

Here is to a Happy New Year that we hope will be full of all the things you need & love

          Kristen, Jason, Brodie, Korben & Meadow

                                                                   XOXO

Grade 1

1st Fall xoxo

Merry Christmas 2009   

After becoming a mother or in our house…… a “Mama” I started to write a Christmas letter each year to share a little of our lives……last year I took a break since we were still unpacking boxes in our new home, Anola has been a blessing and  a learning curve… I do miss having family 15 minutes away or being able to run out for errands without packing a bag or at least snacks for Brodie and I. Jay has loved it from day one.. riding lawnmowers, snowmobiling right from the front door…. Our home has a peace and beauty that I didn’t feel in the city.

Korben entered into the world quickly on October 30, we arrived at Women’s Hospital at 9:30 am and he was born at 10:15 am. Brodie suspected the pregnancy early asking if I had a baby in my tummy since I looked a little swollen, we confirmed his guess about a baby at Easter and he didn’t say much at first, and then later suggested that maybe I just ate a little too much.

Korben takes after Jay he is mellow and happy, in 7 weeks I have had a handful of full night sleeps, with any luck Santa will bring me a few more.

 Brodie has entered into the world of team sports, video games and school. He told me that when dad drives him to school he feels like a big boy because he doesn’t walk him in, I realize he wants to be treated as a big boy.

Brodie loves to hold Korben and kiss him, if Korben cries in the car Brodie will start to sing to him. It amazes me that a 5 year old can calm a baby with his genuine love and devotion.

My Mom often says that Brodie has an old soul, he noticed this year people sleeping  in front of building while driving through downtown, and the line up in front of Siloam Mission, he was very concerned that these people would have no place to go, and what if that happened to us…..I explained that we are blessed to have family and friends that I know would help us if we ever needed…..its nice to know in my heart that is true, Jay and I come from small families but they have always supported us in soooooo many ways, with the kids, the house and in moments of pure chaos.

 When school started Brodie drew me a picture and said “I am showing you empathy”, I asked “what does that mean”?  He replied “to put yourself in someone else’s shoes….to show you understand”. A few weeks ago he drew the first picture for Daddy.

Brodie will tell you he came from heaven and WE became a family when he was born; and now Korben has completed it.

Wishing you and your family all the best this Christmas, Love Kristen, Jay, Brodie & Korben

XO XO

First Day of Kindergarden

Oh how my family has grown!